U.S. patent application number 10/876320 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-06 for sheet feeder, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus.
Invention is credited to Fujii, Shuhji, Fujimoto, Osamu, Imai, Takashi, Ishikura, Kaoru.
Application Number | 20050002710 10/876320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33549824 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050002710 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ishikura, Kaoru ; et
al. |
January 6, 2005 |
Sheet feeder, image reading apparatus, and image forming
apparatus
Abstract
In accordance with the state of a document tray upon powering on
a power source, the elevation operation of a document tray is
controlled. In the case that the document tray is located not at
the highest position, not at the lowest position, but at a middle
position upon powering on the power source, the document tray is
allowed to remain at the middle position as it is without
performing the elevation of the document tray. In the case that the
document tray is located at the highest position, the document tray
is moved down. By reducing the wasteful operation (the initial
operation) after powering on the power source, it is possible to
reduce the operation time and the efficient sheet processing can be
realized.
Inventors: |
Ishikura, Kaoru; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) ; Imai, Takashi; (Nara-shi, JP) ; Fujii,
Shuhji; (Souraku-gun, JP) ; Fujimoto, Osamu;
(Yamatokoriyama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK D. SARALINO (GENERAL)
RENNER, OTTO, BOISELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE, NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115-2191
US
|
Family ID: |
33549824 |
Appl. No.: |
10/876320 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/367 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 2215/00202
20130101; G03G 15/605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/367 |
International
Class: |
G03G 015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2003 |
JP |
2003-190651 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sheet feeder comprising: a sheet container for containing a
plurality of sheets in a stacked manner; an elevator for moving
up/down the sheet container; a sheet carrier for carrying an
abutted sheet to a carrier path when the sheet container is moved
up by the elevator; a detector for detecting that the sheet
container is located at a predetermined position; and a controller
for remaining the sheet container at a position as it is without
operating the elevator when the detector does not detect that the
sheet container is located at the predetermined position upon
powering on a power source.
2. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined
position is the highest position of an elevation range of the sheet
container, and the controller moves down the sheet container by
means of the elevator when the detector detects that the sheet
container is located at the highest position.
3. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined
position is the lowest position of an elevation range of the sheet
container, and the controller moves up the sheet container by means
of the elevator or remains the sheet container at the lowest
position as it is without operating the elevator when the detector
detects that the sheet container is located at the lowest
position.
4. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: an
operation unit for giving an instruction to elevate the sheet
container to the elevator, wherein in the case that the detector
does not detect that the sheet container is located at the
predetermined position, the controller moves down the sheet
container by means of the elevator when the operation of the
operation unit is confirmed.
5. The sheet feeder according to claim 2, wherein the detector
detects a position of the uppermost layer of the sheet that is
contained in the sheet container, and in the case that the detector
detects that the uppermost layer of the sheet is higher than a
standard position when the sheet is contained in the sheet
container, the controller moves down the sheet container by means
of the elevator.
6. The sheet feeder according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined
position also includes the lowest position of the elevation range
of the sheet container, the sheet feeder further comprising: a
display for displaying a guidance for performing the carrier
processing of the sheet to be carried in plural times in the case
that the detector detects that the uppermost layer of the sheet is
higher than the standard position and the sheet container is
located at the lowest position when the sheet is contained in the
sheet container.
7. A sheet feeder comprising: a sheet container for containing a
plurality of sheets in a stacked manner; an elevator for moving
up/down the sheet container; a sheet carrier for carrying an
abutted sheet to a carrier path when the sheet container is moved
up by the elevator; a detector for detecting that the sheet
container is located at a predetermined position; a storage unit
for storing the operation state when a power source is turned off;
and a controller for controlling if a position of the sheet
container is maintained or elevated with reference to the stored
contents in the storage unit when the power source is turned
on.
8. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, further comprising: a
sheet detector for detecting the sheet contained in the sheet
container, wherein in the case that the sheet detector detects that
no sheet remains in the sheet container, the controller controls
the elevator so that the sheet container is located at a
predetermined position.
9. The sheet feeder according to claim 7, further comprising: a
sheet detector for detecting the sheet contained in the sheet
container, wherein in the case that the sheet detector detects that
no sheet remains in the sheet container, the controller controls
the elevator so that the sheet container is located at a
predetermined position.
10. The sheet feeder according to claim 1, wherein the powering on
includes powering on again when the sheet feeder is returned from
an energy saving mode.
11. The sheet feeder according to claim 7, wherein the powering on
includes powering on again when the sheet feeder is returned from
an energy saving mode.
12. An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 1; and an image reader for reading the image on
the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
13. An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 2; and an image reader for reading the image on
the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
14. An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 3; and an image reader for reading the image on
the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
15. An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 4; and an image reader for-reading the image on
the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
16. An image reading apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 7; and an image reader for reading the image on
the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
17. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 1; an image reader for reading an image of a
sheet carried by the sheet carrier; and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
18. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 2; an image reader for reading an image of a
sheet carried by the sheet carrier; and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
19. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 3; an image reader for reading an image of a
sheet carried by the sheet carrier; and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
20. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 4; an image reader for reading an image of a
sheet carried by the sheet carrier; and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
21. An image forming apparatus comprising: the sheet feeder
according to claim 7; an image reader for reading an image of a
sheet carried by the sheet carrier; and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 2003-190651 filed in
Japan on Jul. 2, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a sheet feeder which is
equipped with an image reading apparatus such as a copying machine
or a scanner or an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a
facsimile machine and which sequentially takes out sheets of
document contained in a sheet container in a stacked manner to feed
and carry the sheets to a carrier path. The present invention also
relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming
apparatus that comprise this sheet feeder.
[0003] In recent years, an image forming apparatus or the like has
been provided with an apparatus for reading an image of the sheet
while automatically and sequentially taking and carrying the sheets
of document one by one, so that the image is efficiently read and
formed. On the other hand, due to progress of a digital technology,
a speed of reading an image from the document, a speed of
converting the read data into the electronic data and a speed of
forming an image from the electronic data rise, and this makes it
possible to process more documents at a high speed. Such a reading
apparatus can contain a large number of sheets in a tray (a sheet
container), namely, about 100 to 200 sheets. In addition, in
accordance with progress of a document carrier of the image reading
apparatus, various kinds of sheets can be carried.
[0004] Thus, if the number of mounted sheets is increased, in the
configuration such that the height position of the tray is fixed,
it is difficult to make a taking-out condition of each sheet from
the tray even, so that an apparatus has been known, which enables
to move up and down the tray by an elevating mechanism and
maintains the highest face of the sheet contained n the tray at a
predetermined height (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 11-199065 (1999), referred as a prior apparatus
below). The prior apparatus intends to acquire an effect of
improving a convenience of the containing operation of the sheet by
moving down the tray at the lowest position when powering on the
apparatus.
[0005] In the image reading apparatus for reading the image of the
sheet while containing a large number-of sheets such as documents
in the tray and feeding and carrying them, there is a problem such
that it takes a long time from the tray is moved up till the sheet
can be fed to a carrier path so as to make a total reading time
till reading of the sheet is completed longer when putting a tray
having a large capacity for mounting the sheet on standby, moving
up the tray by a signal with respect to the key operation or the
like for initiating reading of the sheet, and initiating the
operation for feeding the sheet to the carrier path for carrying
the sheet to a reader.
[0006] In the prior apparatus, the tray is moved down to the lowest
position even when there are a few sheets to be set, so that it
takes a long time for moving up the tray from picking up the sheet
till feeding and carrying it. In addition, in recent years, a time
from powering on the apparatus till start of the operation has been
shortened and an apparatus that is powered off in ordinary state
without turning on electricity and is powered on upon using has
been developed. Since such an apparatus is turned off usually,
before powering on, the sheet may be contained therein. In this
case, there is a problem such that the tray is moved down to the
lowest position by powering on to cause wasteful operations.
[0007] In order to solve such a problem, various methods are tried,
for example, before acquiring a signal of reading start, a default
height of the tray is set not at the lowest position where the
maximum number of sheets can be set but at the higher position
capable of setting a predetermined number of sheets; detecting that
any key of an operation unit is pushed for setting an operation
mode or the like, the tray is moved up so as to stand ready to feed
the sheet immediately; and the tray is automatically on standby for
feeding the sheet immediately when a predetermined passage of
time.
[0008] However, according to the apparatus controlled to set the
tray not at the lowest position but at a predetermined height, the
initial operation of the tray is carried out upon powering on and a
standard height of the tray is detected, and then, the tray is
moved so as to be at a predetermined height. This is also wasteful
operation for making a time from powering on till start of
operation shorter as described above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been made taking the foregoing
problems into consideration and an object of which is to provide a
sheet feeder capable of reducing the wasteful operation after
powering on and making the operation time shorter by controlling
the elevation operation of a tray depending on a state of the tray
(sheet container) upon powering on, and an image reading apparatus
and an image forming apparatus that are provided with this sheet
feeder.
[0010] The sheet feeder according to the present invention includes
a sheet container for containing a plurality of sheets in a stacked
manner, an elevator for moving up/down the sheet container, a sheet
carrier for carrying an abutted sheet to a carrier path when the
sheet container is moved up by the elevator, and a detector for
detecting that the sheet container is located at a predetermined
position, wherein in the case that the detector does not detect
that the sheet container is located at the predetermined position
upon powering on, the sheet container is remained at the position
as it is without operating the elevator.
[0011] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, when
the sheet container is not located at the predetermined position
(the highest position or the lowest position) upon powering on, it
is determined that the sheet container is located at a middle
position, the sheet container is remained at the position as it is
without performing the elevation operation of the sheet container.
It is therefore possible to reduce the wasteful operation (the
initial operation), to shorten the operation time and to realize
the efficient processing of the sheet.
[0012] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, the
predetermined position is the highest position of an elevation
range of the sheet container, and the controller moves down the
sheet container by means of the elevator in the case that the
detector detects that the sheet container is located at the highest
position.
[0013] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention,
since the sheet cannot be set when the sheet container is located
at the highest position, by moving down the sheet container, the
sheet can be set in the sheet container. In this case, if the
moving-down amount of the sheet container is not set at the maximum
moving-down amount but at a predetermined amount, it is possible to
reduce the necessary time for the operation in accordance with the
operation start signal after setting the sheet.
[0014] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, the
predetermined position is the lowest position of an elevation range
of the sheet container, and the controller moves up the sheet
container by means of the elevator or remains the sheet container
at the position as it is without operating the elevator in the case
that the detector detects that the sheet container is located at
the lowest position.
[0015] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention,
since the sheet can be set in the sheet container when the sheet
container is located at the lowest position, the sheet container is
prevented from being moved by operating the elevator after powering
on, it is not necessary to wait for the setting processing of the
sheet into the sheet container till the initial operation has been
completed. Alternatively, according to the apparatus having the
sheet container with a large capacity, by moving up the sheet
container to a predetermined position and making the sheet
container standby, it is possible to reduce the necessary time for
the operation in accordance with the operation start signal after
setting the sheet.
[0016] The sheet feeder according to the present invention includes
an operation unit for giving an instruction to elevate the sheet
container to the elevator, wherein in the case that the detector
does not detect that the sheet container is located at the
predetermined position, the controller moves down the sheet
container by means of the elevator when the operation of the
operation unit is confirmed.
[0017] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, when
the sheet container is maintained at a higher middle position and
the sheet cannot be set, by operating the operation unit (for
example, an elevation key), it is possible to move down the sheet
container so as to easily cope with the case such that many sheets
are fed.
[0018] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, the
detector detects a position of the uppermost layer of the sheet
contained in the sheet container, and in the case that the detector
detects that the uppermost layer of the sheet is higher than a
standard position by means of the detector when the sheet is
contained in the sheet container, the controller moves down the
sheet container by means of the elevator.
[0019] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, when
large amounts of sheets is set, which exceed a set capacity of the
sheet at a stop position of the sheet container, the height of the
sheets exceed an appropriate carrier level (height) of the sheet
carrier and a carrying jam or the like may be caused, and in this
case, it is possible to move down the height of the sheet carrier
to the appropriate carrier level. In addition, it is possible to
add the sheet by moving down it under the appropriate carrier
level.
[0020] In the sheet feeder according to-the present invention, the
predetermined position also includes the lowest position of the
elevation range of the sheet container, and the sheet feeder
further includes a display for displaying a guidance for performing
the carrier processing of the sheet to be carried in plural times
in the case that the detector detects that the uppermost layer of
the sheet is higher than the standard position and the sheet
container is located at the lowest position when the sheet is
contained in the sheet container.
[0021] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, when
the sheet container stops at or reaches the lowest position and
further, large amounts of sheets exceeding the set capacity of the
sheet is set, guidance of a processing mode for processing the
sheets in plural times is displayed on a display. Therefore, how to
process a sheet bundle exceeding the capacity of the sheet
container can be easily understood by the user, so that the
efficient processing for the sheet bundle exceeding the capacity
can be selected and can be processed.
[0022] The sheet feeder according to the present invention includes
a sheet container for containing a plurality of sheets in a stacked
manner, an elevator for moving up/down the sheet container, a sheet
carrier for carrying an abutted sheet to a carrier path when the
sheet container is moved up by the elevator, a detector for
detecting that the sheet container is located at a predetermined
position, and a storage unit for storing the operation state when a
power source is turned off, wherein control is made if a position
of the sheet container is maintained or elevated with reference to
the stored contents of the storage unit when the power source is
turned on.
[0023] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, on
the basis of the information whether or not the sheet feeder is
normally powered off before powering on or whether or not the state
upon powering on is different from the state upon powering off, the
elevation operation of the sheet container is controlled.
Therefore, the position of the sheet container after powering on
can be reliably controlled or can be stably controlled without
performing the unnecessary operation, and further, it is possible
to easily set the sheet in the sheet container.
[0024] The sheet feeder according to the present invention includes
a sheet detector for detecting the sheet contained in the sheet
container; wherein when the sheet detector detects that no sheet
remains in the sheet container, the controller controls the
elevator so that the sheet container is located at a predetermined
position.
[0025] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, for
example, in the case that the processing for the set sheet has been
completed and no sheet remains, the sheet container is returned to
the position (the height) that has been already set. Therefore, the
processing for the following sheet can be started immediately and
further, the necessary time for processing for the following sheet
can be shortened.
[0026] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, the
powering on includes powering on again when the sheet feeder is
returned from an energy `saving` mode.
[0027] In the sheet feeder according to the present invention, when
the sheet feeder is lost in an energy saving mode or the like, the
sheet feeder can be returned from the energy saving mode by
powering on, so that also in this case, it is possible to make the
operation time shorter.
[0028] An image reading apparatus according to the present
invention includes a sheet feeder according to any one of the
above-described inventions, and an image reader for reading the
image on the sheet carried by the sheet carrier.
[0029] According to the image reading apparatus, by reducing the
wasteful operation upon powering on, the operation time can be
shortened and, further, an image on the sheet carried by the sheet
carrier can be read.
[0030] An image forming apparatus-according to the present
invention includes a sheet feeder according to any one of the
above-described inventions, an image reader for reading an image of
a sheet carried by the sheet carrier, and an image forming unit for
forming the image read by the image reader on paper.
[0031] According to the image forming apparatus, by reducing the
wasteful operation upon powering on, the operation time can be
shortened and, further, the image read by the image reader can be
formed on the sheet.
[0032] The above and further objects and features of the invention
will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description
with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an entire
structure of an image reading apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of
the image reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views showing one
constitutional example of an operation unit of the image reading
apparatus according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical
constitutional example around a document tray for explaining the
operation upon adjusting a height of the document tray of the image
reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical
constitutional example around a document tray for explaining the
operation upon adjusting a height of the document tray of the image
reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a mechanical
constitutional example around a document tray for explaining the
operation upon adjusting a height of the document tray of the image
reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a
controller in the elevation operation of the document tray of the
image reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a
controller in the elevation operation of the document tray of the
image reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a
controller in the elevation operation of the document tray of the
image reading apparatus according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a
controller in the elevation operation of the document tray of the
image reading apparatus according to the present invention; and
[0043] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic
structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the drawings below.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an entire
structure of an image reading apparatus 1 of an embodiment
according to the present invention. This image reading apparatus 1
is briefly structured by an optical system 2 and an ADF (Automatic
Document Feeder) 3 that is arranged above the optical system 2, and
this image reading apparatus 1 is used as a scanner apparatus (an
image reading apparatus) capable of reading images on the opposite
faces of a document for a copying machine and a facsimile machine
the like.
[0046] The optical system 2 is provided with a CCD (Charge Coupled
Device) reading unit 11 as a first reader, a light source unit 13,
and a mirror unit 14. By using the light source unit 13 and the
mirror unit 14, the image of the document mounted on a document
table (platen glass) 12 and is supported on a plain is made to be
read by the CCD reading unit 11 that is provided on a predetermined
position. The CCD reading unit 11 is provided with an image
formation lens 11a and a CCD 11b, and focuses a reflection light
from the document passing through respective parts (to be described
later) on the CCD 11b via the image formation lens 11a.
[0047] The light source unit 13 is provided with an exposure lamp
13a, a reflector 13b of a concave side condensing illumination
light for reading to be irradiated from this exposure lamp 13a on a
predetermined reading position on the document table 12, a slit 13c
only passing a reflection light from the document, and a mirror 13d
that is arranged with its reflection side at 45.degree. against the
side of the document table 12 in order to change an optical path of
the light passed through the slit 13c by 90.degree.. A mirror unit
14 is provided with a pair of mirrors 14a and 14b arranged in such
a manner that their reflection sides are at right angles to each
other in order to further change the optical path of the light by
180.degree., of which optical path is changed by 90.degree. with
the mirror 13d of the light source unit 13.
[0048] The light source unit 13, as shown by reference numerals
13e, 13f and the like, moves in an arrow direction 15 (sub-scanning
direction) in parallel with the side of the document table 12, and
in the same way, the mirror unit 14 moves in the arrow direction 15
(sub-scanning direction) in parallel with the side of the document
table 12. This makes it possible to read the image of the document
mounted on the document table 12. In this case, assuming that a
moving rate of the light source unit 13 is V, it is necessary to
make a moving rate of the mirror unit 14 V/2. In addition, the
light source unit 13 and the mirror unit 14 are moved by a stepping
motor 42 (see FIG. 2).
[0049] In the meantime, the CCD reading unit 11 may focus the
reflection light of the irradiated from the exposure lamp 13a from
the document on the CCD 11b via the image formation lens 11a while
scanning a unit of a reduced reading optical system or a unit of an
equally multiplied reading optical system at a rate V, in which at
least CCD 11b, the image formation lens 11a and the exposure lamp
13a are configured into one unit (not illustrated).
[0050] In addition, this optical system 2 is provided with a
document table 16 at a position separated in a direction of
sub-scanning differently from the document table 12. The light
source unit 13 can read the image of one side of the document
(hereinafter, this side is referred to as a front side) carried on
the document table 16 with resting below this document table 16. In
the vicinity of an outlet of the document carried on this document
table 16, a discharge tray 17 is provided.
[0051] On the other hand, the ADF 3 is provided with a CIS (Contact
Image Sensor) 21 as a second reader at a position opposed to the
document table 16. The ADF 3 may, make the image of the other side
of the document (hereinafter, referred to as a rear side) to be
read by the CIS 21 while taking out the documents contained on a
document tray 22 as a sheet container in a stacked state one by
one. Therefore, the ADF 3 is further provided with various rollers
R1 to R10, various detectors S0 to S8, a curved carrier path 23,
and a resist skewing correction area 24. In the meantime, the CIS
21 is provided with, for example, an image sensor shaped in an
array, light guiding means shaped in an array (a lens array such as
a Selfoc lens) and a light source (an LED array light source or a
fluorescent lamp) and the like.
[0052] In the meantime, various rollers R1 to R10 are driven by a
document carrier motor 43 (see FIG. 2). A drawing roller clutch 44
(see FIG. 2) is connected to a drawing roller R1 as a sheet carrier
and a separation roller R2 that is coupled in conjunction with this
drawing roller clutch 44 by transmission means such as a belt, and
a resist roller clutch 45 (see FIG. 2) is connected to one of the
resist rollers R8 and R9, respectively. If these clutches 44 and 45
are blocked off by control of a controller 41 (see FIG. 2), a
driving force of the document carrier motor 43 (see FIG. 2) is
transmitted to or blocked off the drawing roller R1, the separation
roller R2, and the resist rollers R8 and R9.
[0053] A document tray 22 is electrically operated and when
detecting that the document is set by an optical document detector
S1 having an actuator S1a and a sensor body S1b, a start key is
lighted and the apparatus gets into standby state. Further, in the
case that the document tray 22 starts to move up at a predetermined
timing, the document at the uppermost layer of the mounted document
bundle pushes up a drawing roller R1 that is supported by an arm 25
with freely elevated and displaced, and a drawing roller position
detector S2 as a position detecting unit detects that this drawing
roller R1 is displaced (specifically, it is pushed up), stopping
the document tray 22 to move up once, the height of the document
tray 22 may be maintained as it gets into a standby sate. The
drawing roller position detector S2 (the position detector) for
detecting the height of the drawing roller R1 (the sheet carrier)
has the function of detecting whether or not the height of the
uppermost layer of the document (sheet) is located at an
appropriate carrier level and it detects whether or not the
document tray 22 is located at the highest position.
[0054] In the meantime, in the case of setting the document in the
document tray 22 and rising the document tray 22 on standby, if the
document tray 22 is left for predetermined hours with no signal to
start reading inputted therein, the document tray 22 may be
remained on a standby as it is. However, it is preferable that the
document tray 22 moves down at a predetermined height once on
standby so as to prevent transformation of the drawing roller
R1.
[0055] If a document feeding start signal is inputted, when the
document tray 22 is put on standby down below, rising the document
tray 22 is performed till the drawing roller position detector S2
detects the drawing roller R1 and, then, the drawing roller R1 is
rotationally driven and the documents on the uppermost layer of the
document bundle are sequentially fed. At a downstream side of the
drawing roller R1, the separation rollers R2 and R2a are arranged.
The drawing roller R1 is supported by the arm 25 which is supported
rotatably around a rotation shaft of the separation roller R2.
Then, the drawing roller R1 may contact the document on the
uppermost layer that is set on the document tray 22 by its own
weight or an energization force. In addition, the drawing roller R1
is prevented from being moved down more than necessary by a stopper
(not illustrated).
[0056] A convex portion is formed on a side of the arm 25. By
detecting this convex portion by the drawing roller position
detector S2 including an optical sensor or the like, it is possible
to detect the height of the drawing roller R1 from a swing angle of
the arm 25. In the meantime, according to the preset embodiment,
providing the convex portion on the arm 25 and providing the
drawing roller position detector S2 thereon, this drawing roller
position detector S2 may directly detect the height of the drawing
roller R1 in the present embodiment; however, the drawing roller
position detector S2 may be provided separated from the arm 25. In
this case, by using movable coupling means, the height of the arm
25 may be detected.
[0057] On the separation roller R2, the separation roller R2a
provided with a torque limiter (in place of this, a friction pat is
available) is provided opposed therewith. Accordingly, even if the
plural documents are taken-in by the drawing roller R1, it is
evaded that the document at the uppermost layer contacting the
drawing roller R1 is only taken in and the documents are doubly fed
by separation rollers R2 and R2a and this makes it possible to
reliably separate one document. In the meantime, it is detected by
a feeding detector S3 having an actuator S3a and a sensor body S3b
whether or not the document is reliably separated and fed by the
separation rollers R2 and R2a. Then, the document is carried to a
curve carrier path 23 at a downstream side at a predetermined
timing.
[0058] In the curved carrier path 23, a feeding detector S4 that
has an actuator S4a and a sensor body S4b and detects discharge of
the document from the curved carrier path 23 may detect whether or
not the documents are carried by carrier rollers R3 to R7
reasonably. The curved carrier path 23 has a curvature capable of
carrying any kinds of document stably. Specifically, the curved
carrier path 23 is configured with a curvature capable of smoothly
carrying the most thick, namely, most elastic document from among
the readable documents.
[0059] Then, the document discharged from the curved carrier path
23 is carried to the resist skewing correction area 24. When a
front end of the document is detected by a feeding detector S5 that
is arranged before the resist rollers R8 and R9 set in the vicinity
of the outlet of the resist skewing correction area 24, the front
end of the document is crashed against a seam of the resist rollers
R8 and R9 by a carriage force from the upstream side over a
predetermined time with the resist rollers R8 and R9 stopped, and
thereby, resist and skewing correction of the document are carried
out. In the meantime, the feeding detector S5 includes an actuator
S5a and a sensor body S5b.
[0060] The resist skewing correction area 24 is a segment from the
last carrier roller pair R6, R7 of the curved carrier path 23 to
the resist roller pair R8, R9. In this resist skewing correction
area 24, a document S becomes approximately a straight line between
these carrier rollers R6, R7 and the resist rollers R8, R9 and the
document becomes free as much as possible from a guide surface of
the carrier path so as to perform the above-described resist and
skewing correction of the document. In the meantime, a distance
between the carrier rollers R6, R7 and the resist rollers R8, R9
may secure at least a length in a carrier direction of the smallest
document among the documents that can be processed by the document
feeder. In other words, the more a rear end portion of the document
staying within the curved carrier path 23 is shorter, the more the
resist and the skewing correction of the document can be performed
smoothly.
[0061] The document applied with the resist and the skewing
correction in the resist skewing correction area 24 restarts to be
carried at a predetermined timing; this document is carried to a
first reading position Pos1 for exposure-scanning a front side of
the document, and then, the document passes through a second
reading position Pos2 for exposure-scanning a rear side of the
document. The light source unit 13 and the CIS 21 face to the first
reading position Pos1 and the second reading position Pos2,
respectively.
[0062] Thus, the document having read its front side or both front
and rear sides may be discharged on the discharge tray 17 that is
supported lower than a document discharge position of a side of the
document reading apparatus 1 by the discharge rollers R10 and R11
(however, the discharge roller R11 is provided at the side of the
optical system 2). A discharging detector S6 having an actuator S6a
and a sensor body S6b may detect whether or not the discharge
operation of the document to this discharge tray 17 is checked.
[0063] Sequentially repeating the above-described operations till
the documents set on the document tray 22 are all removed, all of
the completely read documents are sequentially discharged on the
discharge tray 17.
[0064] In the meantime, since the height of the document bundle is
gradually lowered when the documents on the document tray 22 are
sequentially fed, by rising the document tray 22 for a moving down
position of the drawing roller R1, the document tray 22 is
controlled so that the uppermost side of the document bundle and
the drawing roller R1 can always maintain a predetermined height.
Therefore, the document tray 22 can be swung around a supporting
point 22a; however, the document tray 22 can rise by pushing up a
rib 22b that is provided at an end at the opposite side of the
supporting point 22a by an elevation plate 31 and, in addition, a
rib 22b, namely, the document tray 22 falls down by moving down the
elevation plate 31 on the contrary. The end at the opposite side of
the rib 22b of the elevation plate 31 is secured to a plate
supporting shaft 32, and this plate supporting shaft 32 is
rotatably driven by an elevation motor 33 via an elevation
mechanism 34 having a transmission member (gear) row. An elevator
for moving up/down the sheet container (the document tray 22) is
configured by these elevation motor 33, elevation mechanism 34 and
the like.
[0065] In the vicinity of the resist skewing correction area 24, a
document tray position detector S8 as a position detector is
provided to detect the lowest position of the document tray 22.
This document tray position detector S8 has an actuator S8a and a
sensor body S8b. The document tray position detector S8 (the
position detector) may detect whether or not the document tray 22
(the sheet container) is located at the lowest position.
[0066] A position of the document tray 22 on standby is maintained
by controlling the driving of the elevation motor 33 of the
elevation mechanism 34 by a controller 41 (see FIG. 2) on the basis
of a detection signal of the drawing roller position detector S2.
This position of the document tray 22 on standby can be optionally
set by the operation of an operation unit 46 (see FIG. 2) in
accordance with the number of the documents frequently set in the
document tray 22 in a daily general usage state, and a service
person or the user can set it in advance.
[0067] Further, as described above, the document tray 22 can be
elevated and displaced in the range between a height position at
the inlet side of the curved carrier path 23 to be naturally formed
by the curved carrier path 23 set capable of securing the stable
carriage of the document and a height position at the outlet side
thereof. In the case that the document tray 22 moves in a lower
direction, an interval between the document tray 22 and the drawing
roller R1 is made larger, so that it is possible to mount a large
amount of documents and, further, it is possible to sequentially
feed the document by rising one sheet on the uppermost layer of a
large amount of document bundles that are mounted on the document
tray 22 to a position capable of being fed- to the inlet of the
curved carrier path 23.
[0068] In addition, the document tray 22 is provided with a
document regulatory plate 30 for regulating and aligning the side
of the document bundle, and the position of this document
regulatory plate 30 is detected by a first document size detector
S0 for detecting a wide (a length in a direction orthogonal to a
direction of feeding a document) of the document. In the meantime,
the document tray 22 is also provided with a second document size
detector S7 having an actuator S7a and a sensor body S7b for
detecting a length of the document (a length of a direction of
feeding a document). By these first and second document size
detector S0 and S7, the size of the document mounted on the
document tray 22 is detected and, on the basis of this detection
result, a printer sheet upon forming an image or the like is
performed and this detection result is also used for controlling a
height of the document tray 22 by the controller 41 (see FIG.
2).
[0069] On the other hand, upon reading the document on the document
table 12, the light source unit 13 may move a certain distance in
accordance with the document size that is detected by a third
document size detector S9 for detecting the size of the document
that is mounted on the document table 12 in a direction from a
position Pos3 (a start position of the light source unit 13 upon
reading the static document, hereinafter, referred to as a third
position) to a position Pos4 (a return position of the light source
unit 13 upon reading the largest document, hereinafter, referred to
as a fourth position) in FIG. 1.
[0070] On the contrary, upon reading the carried document, the
light source unit 13 stops at the first reading position Pos1 (at a
position of the light source unit 13 upon reading a traveling
document). In addition, the light source unit 13 defines one of a
middle position between the third position Pos3 and the fourth
position Pos4 and a middle position between the third position Pos3
and the first reading position Pos1 as a home position on the basis
of the detection result of a light source unit detector S10 for
detecting the position of the light source unit 13. Accordingly,
when the light source unit 13 is not used, namely, on standby, the
light source unit 13 stops at this home position.
[0071] In the meantime, in order to read the document mounted on
the document table 12, in the ADF 3, a portion at a back side of
the image reading apparatus 1 (a back side in FIG. 1) is rotatably
supported by a hinge (not illustrated) that is provided between the
ADF 3 and the optical system 2. The ADF 3 rotates upward against
the document table 12 and opens around this hinge as a rotation
supporting point. In other words, rotating upward and opening the
ADF3, the upper side of the document table 12 of the image reading
apparatus 1 can be released from a front side in FIG. 1, and this
makes it possible; to set a document that is not a sheet type and
cannot be carried by the ADF 3, for example, a document such as a
book type or the like on the document table 12. In the meantime, on
a bottom surface of the ADF 3, namely, on a surface contacting the
document table 12, a document mat 25 that is made of an elastic
material is provided opposed to the document table 12. In addition,
this opening/closing state of the ADF 3 may be detected by an ADF
opening/closing detector 28 that is provided at the side of the
optical system 2.
[0072] The image reading apparatus 1 that is configured as
described above can read the document in three modes, namely, a
static reading mode, a traveling reading mode, and a double-sided
reading mode. The static reading mode serves to read the document
such as a book and, in this mode, the image reading apparatus 1 may
read the document mounted on the document table 12 by means of the
CCD reading unit 11 while scanning the light source unit 13 and the
mirror unit 14 in a direction indicated by the arrow 15. In
addition, both of the traveling reading mode and the double-sided
reading mode serve to read the documents set on the document tray
22 while feeding them automatically by the ADF 3 one by one. In the
meantime, in the traveling reading mode, by using the CCD reading
unit 11, and in the double-sided reading mode, by using both of the
CCD reading unit 11 and the CIS 21, the documents are read
respectively.
[0073] In the meantime, according to the present embodiment, the
largest number of the documents capable of being set on the
document tray 22 is for example about 200 in a normal thickness of
a copying sheet.
[0074] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional structure of
the image reading apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. In the meantime, in FIG. 2, the identical
reference numerals are given to the identical or corresponding
parts as or to the configuration shown in the above-described FIG.
1 and their explanations are herein omitted.
[0075] To the controller 41 realized by a microcomputer or the
like, the detection results of the first and second document size
detectors S0, S7 for detecting the size of the document set on the
document tray 22, and the third document size detector S9 for
detecting the size of the document set on the document tray 12 are
supplied. The controller 41 may change over control of a sheet to
be used and timing on the basis of the detection results of these
document size detectors S0, S7 and S9.
[0076] Upon reading the document by using the CCD reading unit 11,
the controller 41 may drive and control the stepping motor 42 to
move the light source unit 13 and the mirror unit 14 as described
above, and further, the controller 41 may control the exposure lamp
13a and the CCD 11b in accordance with the position of the light
source unit 13 that is detected by the light source unit detector
S10 to read the image of the document.
[0077] On the contrary, upon reading the document by using the ADF
3, maintaining the height of the uppermost side of the document
bundle set in the document tray 22 by driving and controlling the
elevation motor 33 on the basis of the detection result of the
drawing roller position detector S2 and carrying the document by
controlling the document carrier motor 43, the drawing roller
clutch 44 of the drawing roller R1, and the resist roller clutch 45
of the resist rollers R8, R9 on the basis of the detection results
by the respective detectors S3 to S6 until the document detector S1
detects that all documents are removed from the document tray 22,
the controller 41 may control the CCD 11b and/or the CIS 21 to read
the image of the document.
[0078] In addition, a controller 41 may display the necessary
information on an operation unit 46 that is composed of a liquid
touch panel or the like and may accept the input operation to be
added to the operation unit 46. Further, the controller 41 may
store the state upon the former powering off (if the apparatus is
normally turned off, the height of the document tray 22 on OFF) in
a memory 47. In the meantime, as an example that the apparatus is
not normally turned off, a case that it is powered off during the
elevation operation of the document tray 22 and a case that the
apparatus is lost in energy by blackout during the processing for
the document may be considered.
[0079] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic views showing one
constitutional example of the operation unit 46 of the image
reading apparatus 1 according to the present invention. The
operation unit 46 is disposed on the upper side of the image
reading apparatus 1 (not illustrated in FIG. 1) and it is provided
with various keys K1 to K8 and an operation panel P composed of a
liquid touch panel or the like.
[0080] Among various hardware keys K1 to K8 provided to the
operation unit 46, K1 is a numeric keypad for inputting numbers, K2
is a key for the interruption process, K3 is a clear key, K4 is an
all clear (all release) key, K5 is a start key for starting reading
of the document, K6, K7 and K8 are function changing-over keys for
selecting a facsimile function, a printer function and a copy
function.
[0081] Various screens are switched over and are displayed on a
screen of the operation panel P. Among these screens, various
software keys are arranged to set various conditions. According to
an example shown in FIG. 3A, an up/down key K0 for adjusting the
height of the document tray 22 is displayed on the operation panel
P. If this up/down key K0 is operated in a standby state, the
controller 41 may elevate and displace the document tray 22 as
described later by driving an elevation motor 33, and thereby, the
height of the document tray 22 can be adjusted. The elevation and
displacement of the document tray 22 are carried out by a
predetermined height for each operation of the up/down key K0.
[0082] In the meantime, according to the present embodiment, the
up/down key K0 is disposed in the operation panel P shown in FIG.
3A, however, for example, the-up/down key K0 may be provided as a
push-button type switch at an appropriate position in the vicinity
of the document tray 22 on the ADF 3. In addition, guidance and
warning for the operation are also displayed on this operation
panel P.
[0083] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are schematic side views each showing a
mechanical constitutional example around the document tray 22 for
explaining the operation upon adjusting the height of the document
tray 22.
[0084] For example, it is assumed that the height of the document
tray 22 and the mounting amount of the document are as shown in
FIG. 4, and a douser 25a of the arm 25 intervenes between a pair of
a light emission element S2a and a light-sensitive element S2b of
the drawing roller position detector S2 and a light path between
two elements S2a and S2b is not formed, namely, the drawing roller
position detector S2 is turned off.
[0085] Under such a state, moving upward the document tray 22, the
document tray 22 is stopped under the state as shown in FIG. 5 such
that the douser 25a of the arm 25 does not intervene between the
pair of the light emission element S2a and the light-sensitive
element S2b of the drawing roller position detector S2 and the
light path between two elements S2a and S2b is formed, namely, the
drawing roller position detector S2 is turned on. Under such state,
the drawing roller R1 may contact the uppermost layer of the
document bundle by its own weight or an energization force of the
drawing roller R1 and the arm 25.
[0086] The document tray 22 is held at a height in accordance with
the number of the documents with the highest frequency of usage,
and when the document is set on the document tray 22 at this
height, the front end of the document may abut against the drawing
roller R1 so that the document cannot be set correctly. In such a
case, the user may operate the up/down key KO. By the operation of
the up/down key KO, as shown in FIG. 6, for each operation, the
document tray 22 moves down step by step, and when the operation of
the up/down key K0 is performed after the document tray 22 reaches
the lowest position, the document tray 22 will return to the height
in accordance with the number of the documents with the highest
frequency of usage. Depending on such operation, it is possible to
set the document tray 22 at the height in accordance with the
number of the documents to be set.
[0087] In the meantime, the document tray 22 may be moved down step
by step by a predetermined height for each operation, however,
differently from this, during the operation of the up/down key K0
(for example, the up/down key has been continuously pushed down),
the document tray 22 may be moved down in a single step. In such a
case, it is possible to set the height of the document tray 22 in
accordance with the number of the documents with a high degree of
accuracy. In addition, the document tray 22 may be moved down to
the lowest position by one operation of the up/down key K0.
Further, the key to operate elevation of the document tray 22 is
not limited to the up/down key K0 and for example, this elevation
operation function may be provided to the all release key K4.
[0088] The elevation operation of the document tray 22 is realized
by control of the controller 41; and, FIGS. 7 to 10 are flowcharts
showing a control procedure by the controller 41. Hereafter, with
reference to these flowcharts, the operation of the image reading
apparatus 1 according to the present invention that is structured
as described above will be described below.
[0089] At first, when a power switch (not illustrated) is turned on
(step S1), the controller 41 determines whether or not the output
of the drawing roller position detector S2 is ON, namely, whether
or not the document tray 22 is-located at the highest position and
a light path between the elements S2a and S2b is formed (step S2).
In the case that the output of the drawing roller position detector
S2 is not ON (S2:NO), the controller 41 determines whether or not
the document tray position detector S8 is ON, namely, whether or
not the document tray 22 is located at the highest position (step
S3).
[0090] In the case that the document tray position detector S8 is
not ON (S3: NO), namely, in the case that the document tray 22 is
located not at the highest position, not at the lowest position,
but at a middle position, the controller 41 maintains the present
height of the document tray 22 (step S4) to get into a standby
state (step S5). In the case that the document tray position
detector S8 is ON (S3: YES), namely, in the case that the document
tray 22 is located not at the lowest position, the controller 41
maintains the present height of the document tray 22 or stops after
moving up the document tray 22 by a predetermined amount (step S9)
to get into a standby state (step S5). If it is detected that the
document tray 22 is located at the lowest position, when a
predetermined default height of the document tray 22 is set at the
lowest position, or when the middle height as a default position is
not set, the moving up operation of the document tray 22 is not
performed.
[0091] On the other hand, when the output of the drawing roller
position detector S2 is ON (S2: YES), namely, when the document
tray 22 is located at the highest position, the controller 41 moves
down the document tray 22 (step S6). Then, when the controller 41
detects that the output of the drawing roller position detector S2
is OFF (step S7: YES), the controller 41 stops after moving down
the document tray 22 by a predetermined amount (step S8) to get
into a standby state (S5).
[0092] In the meantime, the height of the document tray 22 to be
decided by movement of S8 or S9 has been already set at a height
selected through the operation unit 46 by a service person or a
user from among a plurality of heights shown in FIG. 6 or at an
arbitrary height in accordance with the number of document with the
highest frequency of setting.
[0093] Subsequently, the controller 41 determines whether or not
the power switch is turned on (step S10). When the power switch is
turned on (S10: YES), it is determined that the optical document
detector S1 is turned on (step S11: YES) and further, the start key
K5 is pushed down (step S12: YES), the controller 41 feeds and
carries one document from the document tray 22 into the carrier
path to read the image (step S13).
[0094] This processing of S13 is sequentially repeated as long as
the optical document detector S1 is turned on (step S14: NO). Then,
in the case that the controller 41 determines that the optical
document detector S1 is turned off (S114: YES), the procedure
returns to S6.
[0095] On the other hand, when the power switch is powered off
(S10: NO), the controller 41 maintains the present height of the
document tray 22 (step S15). Then, storing the present height and a
background of the document tray 22 in the memory 47 (step S16), the
controller 41 turns the power source off (step S17).
[0096] In the meantime, when the document is set on the document
tray 22 before energization, the controller 41 detects that the
document is set after energization. Further, the carrier level of
the document is detected by the drawing roller position detector
S2, and in accordance with its detection result, the controller 41
determines if the height of the document tray 22 should be
maintained or should be moved down. In this case, the moving down
operation is immediately performed just after detecting the carrier
level or it is performed delaying the timing slightly.
[0097] In the next place, with reference to flowcharts shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10, the control operation on the basis of the storage
contents in the memory 47 will be described below. If the power
switch is turned on (step S20), the controller 41 determines
whether or not the power source is normally powered off on the
basis of the storage contents of the memory 47 (step S21). When it
is normally turned off (S21: YES), the procedure proceeds to S2. On
the other hand, when it is not normally turned off (S21: NO), the
controller 41 determines whether or not the output of the drawing
roller position detector S2 is turned on (step S22). When the
output of the drawing roller position detector S2 is not turned on
(S22: NO), the controller 41 moves up the document tray 22 till the
output of the drawing roller position detector S2 is turned on
(step S26).
[0098] When the output of the drawing roller position detector S2
is turned on (S22: YES), the controller 41 moves down the document
tray 22 (step S23). Then, if the controller 41 determines that the
output of the drawing roller position detector S2 is turned off
(step S24: YES), the controller 41 stops after moving down the
document tray 22 by a predetermined amount (step S25) and the
procedure proceeds to S5 to get into a standby state. If the output
of the drawing roller position detector S2 is not turned off (step
S24: NO), the procedure returns to S23.
[0099] If the power switch is turned on (step S30), the controller
41 determines whether or not the power source is normally turned
off by the former processing on the basis of the storage contents
of the memory 47 (step S31). When it is normally turned off (S31:
YES), the procedure proceeds to S2. On the other hand, when it is
not normally turned off (S31: NO), the controller 41 determines
whether or not the output of the document tray position detector S8
is turned on (step S32). When the output of the document tray
position detector S8 is not turned on (S32: NO), the controller 41
moves down the document tray 22 till the output of the document
tray position detector S8 is turned on (step S34). As an example
that the storage contents stored in the memory 47 when the power
source is turned off are different from the information when the
power source is turned on, a failure operation (a failure) of the
detector or a case that the document tray 22 is moved by hands in
maintenance during not may be considered.
[0100] When the document tray position detector S8 is turned on
(S32: YES), the controller 41 stops after moving up the document
tray 22 by a predetermined amount (step S33) and the procedure
proceeds to S5, and the controller 41 gets into a standby
state.
[0101] According to the above-described example, the embodiment
applying the sheet feeder according to the present invention to the
image reading apparatus is de scribed, however, the sheet feeder
according to the present invention also can be applied to an image
forming apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer or the
like and a complex machine or the like having a scanner function, a
printer function, and a facsimile function.
[0102] FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic
structure of an image forming apparatus according to the present
invention. This image forming apparatus 100 is provided with the
image reading apparatus 1, an image forming unit 210 for forming an
image on paper, a post-processing unit 260 for applying the
post-processing to the paper having the image formed thereon, and a
feeding unit 270 for feeding and carrying the paper to the image
forming unit 210. The image forming unit 210 is disposed at a lower
part of the image reading apparatus 1, and the post-processing unit
260 and the feeding unit 270 are disposed at a side part and a
lower part of the image forming unit 210, respectively.
[0103] The image forming unit 210 has a function to form an image
on the paper fed from the feeding unit 270 on the basis of the
image data that is acquired by reading the image of the document by
the image reading apparatus 1 or the image data that is transferred
from an outer information processing apparatus (not illustrated).
Specifically, the above-described image data is transmitted to an
image processing unit (not illustrated) and is applied with the
predetermined image processing, and then, this image data is stored
in an image memory within the image processing unit once to be
sequentially read at a predetermined timing and to be transferred
to a laser writing unit 227 as an optical writing apparatus.
[0104] The laser writing unit 227 is configured by a semiconductor
laser light source irradiating laser light in accordance with the
image data that is transferred from the image memory, a polygon
mirror for deflecting the laser light with a conformal rate, and a
f-.theta. lens correcting the deflected laser light with a
conformal rate so as to be deflected at a conformal rate on a
photosensitive drum 222. In the meantime, according to the present
embodiment, the laser writing unit 227 is used as an optical
writing apparatus, however, it is possible to use an optical
writing head unit of a fixed scanning type using a light
emitting-element array such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an
EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like.
[0105] Around the photosensitive drum 222, an electrification
device 223 for charging the photosensitive drum 222 at a
predetermined electric potential, a developing unit 224 for feeding
toner to an electrostatic latent image that is formed on the
photosensitive drum 222 and developing it, a transcriber 225 for
transcribing a toner image that is formed on the photosensitive
drum 222 on a carried paper, a static eliminator 229 for peeling
off the photosensitive drum 222 from the paper, and a cleaner 226
for retrieving the remaining toner after transcribing the toner
image are arranged. The paper having the image formed thereon is
carried to a fixing unit 217 and the image is fixed on the paper by
the fixing unit 217. The paper having the image fixed thereon is
discharged to the outside by a discharging roller 219.
[0106] At the downstream side in a paper carrying direction of the
discharging roller 219, a post-processing unit 260 for performing
the staple processing and the inner folding processing or the like
to the paper having the image formed is provided, and the paper
introduced to a post-processing unit 260 is discharged on an
elevation tray 261 after being provided with the predetermined
post-processing. Further, the image forming unit 210 is provided
with a paper tray 251 and a manual feed tray 254 for taking in an
arbitrary paper from the outside. Then, the paper that is fed from
the paper tray 251 or the manual feed tray 254 is carried to an
image transcription position where the photosensitive drum 222 and
the transcriber 225 or the like are arranged by a paper carrier
250.
[0107] In addition, at the downstream side in a paper carrying
direction of the fixing unit 217, a switchback path 221 to be used
upon forming an image on a rear side of the paper is provided. The
paper that is inverted by the switchback path 221 is fed to a unit
250 for carrying a paper again through a double-sided unit 255. In
the meantime, the switchback path 221 and the double-sided unit 255
are used not only upon forming images on the double sides of the
paper but also upon inverting a front surface and a rear surface of
the paper and discharging it.
[0108] The feeding unit 270 arranged on the lower part of the image
forming unit 210 is provided with a plurality of paper cassettes
252 and 253 connected to the paper carrier 250 of the image forming
unit 210 to contain a large amount of the paper having different
sizes. On the image forming apparatus 100, a controller 230 is
mounted, which operates the above-described respective parts in
liaison with each other, in order to form an image on the paper fed
from the feeding unit 270 to the image forming unit 210 on the
basis of the image of the document that is read by the image
reading apparatus 1.
[0109] Here, the processing of a large amount of documents
exceeding the maximum set amount of the document tray 22 will be
described. In the case of the document bundle with the small number
of documents upon setting the document bundle on the document tray
22, all documents can be set in the document tray 22 by one
setting. However, in the case of the large number of documents, the
setting processing cannot be performed by one setting and the
documents should be set in plural times.
[0110] In such a case, dividing the document bundle into plural
bundles with each capacity not more than the maximum set amount;
setting, feeding and carrying the divided document bundles on the
document tray 22 separately; and-reading them, an image forming
apparatus will print them in a mass. For example, storing the read
images of the divided document bundle separately in an image
memory, the image formation processing is carried out for them
after reading all documents. It is a matter of course that the
image formation may be performed continuously while adding the
sheets.
[0111] As described above, it is noted that the large amount of the
documents is set, of which documents need the plural times of
processing, when the drawing roller position detector S2 detects
that the sheet set in the document tray 22 is too high and the
document tray position detector S8 detects that the document tray
22 reaches to the lowest position. In such a case, the contents of
the mode for performing the processing divided into the plural
times are noticed to the user by displaying it on the operation
panel P of the operation unit 46.
[0112] As described above, according to the present invention, in
the case that the sheet container is located not at the highest
position, not at the lowest position, but at a middle position when
the power source is turned-on, the sheet container is maintained at
the present position without elevating the sheet container, so that
the wasteful operation (the initial operation) can be reduced so as
to make the operation time shorter and the efficient sheet
processing can be performed.
[0113] In addition, according to the sheet feeder of the present
invention, since the sheet container is moved down when the sheet
container is located at the highest position, it is possible to
easily set the sheet in the sheet container.
[0114] In addition, according to the sheet feeder of the present
invention, since the sheet container remains at a position as it is
or sheet container is moved up when the sheet container is located
at the lowest position, it is possible to perform the setting
processing of the sheet till the initial operation has been
completed. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce a necessary time
of the operation in accordance with the operation start signal
after setting the sheet.
[0115] In addition, according to the sheet feeder of the present
invention, in the case that the sheet container is located at a
higher middle position, by operation the operation unit (the up
down key), the sheet container can be moved down and many sheets
can be easily processed.
[0116] According to the sheet feeder of the present invention,
since the sheet container is moved down to be lowered to the
appropriate carrier level of the sheet member when a large amount
of sheets exceeding the set capacity of the sheet at a stop
position of the sheet container is set, it is possible to prevent
occurrence of the carrying jam or the like.
[0117] According to the sheet feeder of the present invention,
since the sheet container is located at the lowest position and the
guidance of the processing mode for processing the sheet in plural
times is displayed on the display (the operation panel P) when a
large amount of sheets exceeding the set capacity is set, the user
can select the efficient processing for the sheet bundle exceeding
the maximum capacity.
[0118] According to the sheet feeder of the present invention,
since the elevation operation of the sheet container is controlled
on the basis of the information if the power source is normally
turned off before powering on or if the state upon powering on is
identical with or different from the state upon powering off, the
sheet feeder can be stably controlled reliably or without
performing the unnecessary operation and further, the sheet can be
easily set in the sheet container.
[0119] According to the sheet feeder of the present invention,
since the sheet container is returned to the position (height) that
has been already set when no sheet remains in the sheet container,
the processing for the following sheet can be immediately started
and further, it is possible to reduce a necessary time of the
processing for the following sheet.
[0120] According to the sheet feeder of the present invention,
since the apparatus can be returned from the energy saving mode by
powering on when the apparatus is lost in an energy saving mode or
the like, also in this case, it is possible to reduce the operation
time.
[0121] Since the image reading apparatus and the image forming
apparatus are provided with the above-described sheet feeder, by
reducing the wasteful operation when the power source is turned on,
the operation time can be reduced, and further, reading of the
image on the sheet that is carried by the sheet container and
formation of the image that is read by the image reader are
possible.
[0122] As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such
metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by
the claims.
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